A 15-year-old is gang-raped, dozens watch and do nothing, and our nation responds with shock and outrage. But I can’t understand why anyone is surprised. Our young people are sold violence daily — video games, movies, song lyrics and graphic music videos all glorify torture, sexploitation and abuse.
Those who manufacture it get rich, the young people exposed to it become numb to the horror.
One in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. Each year, at least 4 million women are abused in this country. We won’t hear very much about any of them.
There’s not a lot of money to be made fighting violence. In this country, only those who promote it get rich.
Rose von Perbandt
Bradenton
For the best self-protection, get training in gun handling
In the Oct. 10 opinion page appeared a letter to the editor on guns, gun ownership, etc., and statistics from other countries that have banned guns.
From the United Kingdom and Australia, part of the statistics stated that “murder by guns” plummeted. Hurray! However, what it did not say is that murders did not plummet. Domestic dispute murders and others were carried out with kitchen knives, hammers, screwdrivers and other common hand tools, not to mention baseball bats and items of the like.
Oh yes! I have heard the argument that a gun is somehow easier or more accessible. Someone in a rage or someone intent on committing a crime that required force will use any of the household items mentioned above.
If someone broke into my home with evil intent, I would certainly be glad I had a firearm to defend my wife and myself. I cannot imagine the average man (or woman) over 50 years of age being a physical match to a tough, prison-hardened criminal. The gun for the responsible law-abiding citizen in his/her home is an “equalizer.” I am sure that any one of the victims of rape and robbery in Manatee and Sarasota counties would have liked to have had the protection afforded by a gun.
Proper training for handling, care and use of a firearm as well as self-defense techniques can be had at the local indoor pistol ranges, taught by responsible, sensible and practical instructors. You don’t have to buy the gun first in order to avail yourself of the training. No, I am not a pistol range employee or owner, but I do believe that the indoor ranges in our community offer a valuable public service.
Peter Ribaudo
Bradenton
Wikipedia cannot be considered definitive
I have no doubt that Mr. Charles Lucas is sincere in his viewpoint (Letters, Oct. 30); however, sincerity does not assure accuracy.
Re: Wikipedia, I quote once again from the Web site’s own header, “Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.”
Pretty clear and unambiguous. As for the actual act of editing (or adding to) Wikipedia, it is quite straightforward and anyone with rudimentary skills can accomplish it with little effort.
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